Bienvenidos, Ecuador!!

In the spirit of full disclosure, I have to admit I’ve already been to Ecuador, my finale country in this year of travel forHeifer. But because with 12 x 12 I’m going to places nobody ever goes (the farms in poor, remote valleys and small fishing villages in risky ports on the coast), I’m actually seeing every country for the very first time– whether I’ve been there before or not.

Ecuador is an awe-inspiring country in a whole bunch of ways. Although it’s rather small by South American standards, it’s one of 17 countries that biologists like to call “mega-diverse” (and how much do you love that phrase?)

The gigante petrino tree — cousin to the mighty ceiba!

In fact, it’s got the most biodiversity per square mile of any country on earth – including these parrots.

Ecuador is on the equator (duhhh!) but because it’s in the Andes and has the world’s highest active volcanoes (Cotopaxi is rumored to be due for a new blow-out), it’s not really sweaty-hot tropical.

But it is one of the biggest producers of tropical crops – specifically shrimp, cocoa, sugar cane, coffee, and yes, bananas.

Ecuador has a handsome, youngish President Rafael Correa who is progressive in the mold of Latin America’s dynamic new crop of politicians who are bringing courage, cajones and change to their people…. and that gives me cause for great optimism, despite the challenges of poverty and hunger in the rural provinces.

Quito, a beautiful colonial city that I remember as being rather run-down, is now hip, urbane and downright glossy.

It’s amazing to come back 15 years later and see so much changed. However, the real glory of Ecuador, to my mind, is the charm of its people – particularly the indigenous people who live in La Sierra (as opposed to La Costa or La Amazonia)… although in truth, all Ecuadorians are pretty irresistible.

I’ve got such stories to tell about what I saw (and ate)! Stay tuned ..

“… a beautiful colonial city that I remember as being rather run-down” —-that’s exactly how I remember Quito from our visit in the mid 80s. We only paid a brief visit to the city itself and of course The Equator, and I always regretted we didn’t see more of the country. Now, thanks to you, I will. Looking forward to it!

Hi Betty- it’s so great to see your first post about Ecuador! And your photos are stunning! I’m glad you mentioned that Rafael Correa is a hottie- this is Correa’s page on that website I was telling you about that ranks heads of state! :)http://hottestheadsofstate.wordpress.com/2009/08/25/rafael-correa/. big hugs from Arantza and me!